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UNC Basketball Star Heats Up Instantly in Return From Injury

UNC basketball's defending ACC Player of the Year looks to be 100 percent following a minor preseason setback.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball guard RJ Davis
UNC basketball guard RJ Davis / Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
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UNC basketball graduate guard RJ Davis sat out the Tar Heels' 84-76 road exhibition win over Memphis on Oct. 15 after sustaining a lower back contusion in the squad's Blue-White scrimmage three days earlier. But fourth-year head coach Hubert Davis and his staff probably would have played him if it was an ACC game, as they held him out just for precautionary reasons.

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And in the opening minute of UNC's exhibition bout against visiting Johnson C. Smith in the Dean E. Smith Center on Saturday afternoon, the 23-year-old RJ Davis wasted no time in giving the small crowd on hand reason to believe that he hasn't cooled off a bit from his 2023-24 ACC Player of the Year campaign.

Following a 3-point miss by Johnson C. Smith on the game's opening possession, Davis capitalized on a handoff from junior guard and perimeter screen by junior big man Jalen Washington via a splash from downtown:

At the time of this article's publishing, the Tar Heels led the Golden Bulls, 59-34, at halftime.

RJ Davis, who set a UNC basketball season record with his 113 makes from deep as a star-studded senior last season, tallied 11 points, two assists, one steal, and zero turnovers in the first half versus Johnson C. Smith, shooting 3-for-6 from the field, 1-for-3 beyond the arc, and 4-for-4 at the charity stripe.

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Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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